Total spectrum reception for upstream monitoring

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for monitoring upstream signals and for providing the total bandwidth to a base station for analysis of any disruptions. In an example, the present methods and systems include at least a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit is coupled to a cable input-output port. The first circuit is configured for providing upstream signals from broadband signals of the upstream feed. The second circuit is configured for processing the upstream signals by adjusting its dynamic range to provide processed signals with an adjusted dynamic range. The second circuit is also configured for analyzing a spectrum of the processed signals and for providing information characterizing the processed signals to a processor of a modem.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system comprising:
 a first circuit in communication with a cable input-output port, the first circuit configured for communicating broadband signals; 
 a signal tap for intercepting the broadband signals and providing the broadband signals to a second circuit for analysis so that the broadband signals are unavailable to the input-output port; 
 a second circuit configured for adjusting a dynamic range of upstream signals from the broadband signals and to provide processed signals of an adjusted dynamic range; and 
 the second circuit configured for analyzing a spectrum of the processed signals and for providing information characterizing the processed signals to a processor of a modem. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second circuit further comprises: an automatic gain control (AGC) loop in communication with an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital signal processor (DSP) and a memory. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the AGC is a variable gain amplifier that receives feedback from the digital signal processor (DSP). 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the ADC is a wideband analog-to-digital converter. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first circuit comprises a low pass filter as a component in an optional diplexer, the low pass filter for separating the upstream signals from the broadband signals. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a switch as the signal tap, the switch communicating the broadband signals to the second circuit instead of the input-output port. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and the second circuits are part of a single microprocessor chip. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second circuit comprises a channel tuner and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a signal tap that is in communication with the first circuit and a programmable gain amplifier (PGA), the signal tap for intercepting the upstream signals and for providing upstream signals for the processing in the second circuit. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and the second circuits are installed in a device comprising the cable input-output port for performing functions in a communications network. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a transformer, a switch, or a signal splitter for splitting the upstream signals from the broadband signals. 
     
     
       12. A method comprising:
 communicating broadband signals in a first circuit that is in communication with a cable input-output port; 
 intercepting the broadband signals using a signal tap so that the broadband signals are unavailable to the input-output port; 
 providing the broadband signals to a second circuit for analysis; 
 adjusting, in a second circuit a dynamic range of upstream signals obtained from the broadband signals, the adjusting to provide processed signals with an adjusted dynamic range; 
 analyzing, in the second circuit, a spectrum of the processed signals; and 
 providing, from the second circuit to a processor of a modem, information characterizing the processed signals as obtained from the analyzing of the spectrum of the processed signals. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the second circuit further comprises an automatic gain control (AGC) loop in communication with an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital signal processor (DSP) and a memory. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the AGC is a variable gain amplifier that receives feedback from the digital signal processor (DSP). 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the ADC is a wideband analog-to-digital converter. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first circuit comprises a low pass filter as a component in an optional diplexer, the low pass filter for separating the upstream signals from the broadband signals. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising performing the interception using a switch as the signal tap to communicate the broadband signals to the second circuit instead of the input-output port. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the processing and the analyzing are performed in the first and the second circuits that are part of a single microprocessor chip. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing, by a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that is in communication with a channel tuner, the upstream signals for analysis of the spectrum of the processed signals. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 intercepting, via a signal tap that is in communication with the first circuit and a programmable gain amplifier (PGA), the upstream signals; and 
 providing the upstream signals for the processing in the second circuit. 
 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the processing and the analyzing are performed in the first and the second circuits that are part of a device performing functions in a communications network. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing the upstream signals from the broadband signals using a transformer, a switch, or a signal splitter, prior to the processing in the second circuit.